Dighton-Rehoboth graduates leaving to face new challenges

Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School held commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2014 on Saturday at the school’s football field, with 202 students receiving their diplomas.

Lauren Farris, valedictorian for the class, congratulated her fellow graduates for meeting the challenges that high school presented since the first day of freshman year.

“Ever since, classmates, you have risen to and overcome challenges every week, every year,” Farris said. “On the field, in the classroom, on the stage and beyond, every one of us took advantage of the opportunities given us and came out better for the experience.”

Farris said it’s now time for the Class of 2014 to approach new challenges, but that D-R has prepared them well.

“Now, as we go forth with lessons learned at D-R in mind, we again must start over as we did four years ago,” Farris said. “Whether it be at college, in the military, or in the workforce, we all must once again rise to new challenges. This time, however, taking on the unknown will not be as frightening. We have done it before, have we not?”

Zoe Karavolis, class president, told her fellow graduates that the way they have turned mistakes — like forgetting homework, failed tests, break-ups and bad days — into lessons has created defining moments in their lives and has built character.

“Although these past four years have been full of failure, we have still succeeded,” Karavolis said. “Our real success is how we have reacted to our failure. I do not mean our immediate reaction. I mean the way we take our mistakes and turn them into lessons. High school has not only provided us with the opportunity to do that, but has demanded that we learn more than the material taught in the classroom. It has given us the opportunity to experience so much more than what is in our textbooks.”

Dighton-Rehoboth Assistant Principal John Harrison told the graduates “life is not easy,” but it’s always important to keep learning from the challenges they face.

“The decisions you face in life often lead to uncertainty, but when you are true to yourself, you will grow as a person and eventually achieve success that makes you happy,” Harrison said. “On behalf of the faculty and staff, we wish you nothing but the best in life. You deserve it.”

Case Framson, salutatorian of the graduating class, quoted Aristotle, saying, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” Framson said that the 202 graduates were able to succeed by working together to build a community, and that the Class of 2014 should continue building community wherever life leads them.

“Our years together have taught me that D-R is not only a school with a Falcon in the foyer,” Framson said “Everyone here has taught me that someone will always be on your side. … Wherever you go follow your heart and create a community like we have here, one where you know that you can trust your friends and your mentors and when you fall you have hands to help pick you up and dust you off. … Wherever you go in life create a community where the whole is indeed greater than the sum of its parts.”

Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School Committee Chairwoman Eliza Couture told the graduating class to follow their heart, take what they learned from D-R and make the community proud.

“As you continue to challenge your mind, don’t neglect your heart,” Couture said. “It, too, was trained here through teamwork and service to community. So be successful graduates, do well and always do good along the way. And it was here, surrounded by those that supported you that your courage and confidence flourished. Be brave, take risks and do the impossible. We’re counting on you.”